2023 NFL PREVIEW- NFC WEST
2023-09-08 · 5 min read · NFL/Football
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images | Stephen Brashear/Getty Images
If we can sum up the teams in the NFC West last season in one word, unpredictable is the first one that comes to mind.
newline
Heading into the previous campaign, who’d have pegged the Niners to be Super Bowl contenders with a third-string quarterback in Brock Purdy, selected last in the 2022 NFL Draft?
newline
How many people out there seriously believed the Seahawks, minus Russell Wilson, would be a playoff team with Geno Smith at the controls?
newline
Who saw the 2021-22 Super Bowl champion Rams winning just five games?
newline
While perhaps not quite as unpredictable as the others, we might have all forgotten that the Cardinals came into the previous regular season fresh off a playoff appearance.
newline
As we look into this division, it will be interesting to see what the quarterbacking situation will be like in San Fran, if Sean McVay can get his Rams back into playoff contention and what kind of magic Geno has in year two as the Seahawks starter.
newline
There’s a lot to unpack, so here is a look at each AFC West team and where I think they’ll finish.
newline
San Francisco 49ers
newline
Key Additions
newline
- Javon Hargrave- Defensive Tackle- Philadelphia Eagles
- Matt Pryor- Offensive Tackle- Indianapolis Colts
- Sam Darnold- Quarterback- Carolina Panthers
newline
Key Subtractions
newline
- Jimmy Garoppolo- Quarterback- Las Vegas Raiders
- Jimmie Ward- Safety- Houston Texans
- Robbie Gould- Kicker
newline
Biggest Strength
newline
As if the NFL’s sack leader in 2022, Nick Bosa, needed more help, GM John Lynch got him plenty this offseason by adding Javon Hargrave to a unit which registered 44 sacks a year ago and appears to be just as dangerous in 2023.
newline
Biggest Weakness
newline
The only weakness that stands out to me is their kicking game, as Robbie Gould left after six seasons, putting up a field goal percentage of 84.4 in 2022.
newline
Jake Moody was taken in the third round of the previous NFL Draft and had an impressive college resume, being named a consensus All-American under ex-Niners head coach Jim Harbaugh, but how will he handle the pressure of needing to make a big kick in the NFL?
newline
Prediction- First in NFC West
newline
The Niners, for my money, still have the best defensive unit in football, and even though there’s a lot of mystery surrounding whether it should be Purdy, Trey Lance or Sam Darnold behind centre, I think that’s a minor speedbump in what should be another big year for this crew.
newline
Kyle Shanahan has an embarrassment of riches offensively with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, to name a few, so I’d be shocked if they don’t run away with the NFC West in 2023.
newline
Arizona Cardinals
newline
Key Additions
newline
- Kyzir White- Linebacker- Philadelphia Eagles
- Zach Pascal- Wide Receiver- Philadelphia Eagles
- Paris Johnson- Offensive Tackle- Ohio State
newline
Key Subtractions
newline
- JJ Watt- Defensive End- Retired
- DeAndre Hopkins- Wide Receiver- Tennessee Titans
- Byron Murphy- Cornerback- Minnesota Vikings
newline
Biggest Strength
newline
What this team excels at most is a head-scratcher to me because they were so poor in virtually every defensive and offensive category a year ago.
newline
Kyler Murray, if healthy, can be a great run option, but I will go with their receiving corps as the best component of the 2023 squad.
newline
Zach Pascal was reliable in Philly when thrown to, Hollywood Brown can be dangerous down the field, and though his NFL stats are far from impressive, Andre Baccellia could surprise some people this season.
newline
Biggest Weakness
newline
Rookie head coach Jonathan Gannon has a lot of flaws to contend with on this roster, particularly on a defensive line, that will be missing a big chunk of pressure with the retirement of JJ Watt.
newline
Last year Watt wasn’t the force we’d seen from yesteryears; however, he was the only one on that line who was able to get consistent penetration, and without him, I fear their total of 36 sacks in 2022 will decrease significantly this year.
newline
Prediction- Fourth in NFC West
newline
I don’t envy the situation Gannon is in because, for me, he’s a bright coach who could have a good future ahead of him; I just don’t see things working out too well for him this season.
newline
There are too many holes offensively and defensively on this roster to count, and even the high-priced talents like Murray have been more of a headache than an asset lately.
newline
Los Angeles Rams
newline
Key Additions
newline
- Hunter Long- Tight End- Miami Dolphins
- Steve Avila- Guard- TCU
- Demarcus Robinson- Wide Receiver- Baltimore Ravens
newline
Key Subtractions
newline
- Jalen Ramsey- Cornerback- Miami Dolphins
- Bobby Wagner- Linebacker- Seattle Seahawks
- Leonard Floyd- Defensive End- Buffalo Bills
newline
Biggest Strength
newline
If Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp can remain healthy, the Rams will be dangerous through the air, and they’ll need that because they made little to no significant moves over the offseason.
newline
Van Jefferson and Demarcus Robinson could provide some secondary help in the receiving department, though it seems like the offence will live and die with Stafford and Kupp.
newline
Biggest Weakness
newline
Their passing attack was nearly unstoppable when they captured the Super Bowl two seasons ago, but their running game, led by Cam Akers, was a disaster in 2022, and he seems like their best option heading into the new campaign, which is not a good sign if you’re Sean McVay.
newline
Prediction- Third in NFC West
newline
The Rams dropped seven more games in 2022 than in the previous campaign, something which should have been a clear signal to the front office that some changes needed to be made.
newline
A healthy Stafford and Kupp might give them a few more wins; however, Aaron Donald isn’t getting any younger and overall, that defensive unit looks thin.
newline
Seattle Seahawks
newline
Key Additions
newline
- Bobby Wagner- Linebacker- Los Angeles Rams
- Dre’Mont Jones- Defensive End- Denver Broncos
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba- Wide Receiver- Ohio State
newline
Key Subtractions
newline
- Marquise Goodwin- Wide Receiver- Cleveland Browns
- Laquon Treadwell- Wide Receiver- Baltimore Ravens
- Al Woods- Defensive Tackle- New York Jets
newline
Biggest Strength
newline
Geno Smith may have been the feelgood story in Seattle last year, but Kenneth Walker established himself as a prized running back, finishing 12th in league rushing (1,050).
newline
Walker is an intelligent runner with speed and stamina, who I believe will continue to flourish under that Pete Carroll system.
newline
Biggest Weakness
newline
They certainly aren’t terrible in the secondary, but the 2023 Seahawks are not even close to being on the same level with the cover units from the 2010s, allowing an average of 211.5 yards through the air last season.
newline
Prediction- Second in NFC West
newline
I don’t know if the Smith magic and that veteran crop of receivers will be enough to get them back into the playoff this year, but I don’t see why they wouldn’t be in the mix late into the campaign.
newline
The Seahawks made plenty of intelligent offseason signings and have a good group of youth and experience which should make them, at worst a respectable team this season.
newline
By: Joel Lefevre
Share
